The change of season from winter to spring brings warm weather and longer days but it also brings the dreaded spring cleaning. You know the drill - clean out every closet, the garage and every other room in your house where "the old and unused" has languished. The piles and boxes of clothes, toys, shoes and more are calling me to have a garage sale or to simply say good bye and call a local charity to come pick them up. It's a frustrating time, but when you get in the mode of purging, it's really amazing to see the change (and all of the piles of stuff out by the curb!). I know my husband will shout with joy when it's done.

A great way to get rid of that old stuff is by selling it on Craigslist or Ebay - but did you know about Freecycle? Freecycle is a grass roots and 100% non-profit movement of people who are keeping things out of landfills by reusing and recycling items they can't use anymore. Local Freecycle groups have sprung up all over the world, each of which is moderated by a local volunteer. Members post items they are looking for and items they have to "freecycle" and interested parties correspond via the posts. Don't forget, you can post items for sale or Garage Sale dates in the Classifieds on CVParent.com!

While you're cleaning around the house, you may want to use all natural products. Here are some things that you can clean using a lemon - what's more natural than that?

• Combine the juice of a lemon with some baking soda to get stains our of Tupperware.
• Mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 gallon of very hot water to bleach white clothing. If you soak the clothing overnight and then put everything into the washing machine and wash as usual, this is great for socks and underwear.
• Cut a lemon in half, dip it in some salt and use this to clean copper fixtures and copper bottomed pots and pans.
• To clean brass or silver, mix lemon juice and baking soda or cream of tartar, so it is a paste with the same consistency as toothpaste. Rub onto brass with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
• Let lemon juice sit on laminate countertops for a few minutes. Work into the countertop with the lemon until the disappear, then rinse with water and dry.
• If you have a garbage disposal, cut a lemon in half and throw it down. Running the garbage disposal will take any smell out of the disposal.

Check out the Annual Events Calendar to search upcoming family-friendly events for the Inland Valley. Please tell them you saw it on CVParent.com!

Have a happy, fun-filled weekend!

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our ANNUAL EVENTS CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

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The Easter Bunny is hopping into town!

FREE Easter egg hunt and fun family activities hosted by VantagePoint Church! All concession sales will go directly to supporting Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

Families are invited to a FREE Easter egg hunt for the kids with over 20,000 candy-filled Easter eggs up-for-grabs! Other activities include face painting, petting zoo, ponies, bounce houses and an obstacle course. Enjoy a special visit and photo opportunity with the Easter bunny! Admission is FREE.

Saturday, March 27, 2010
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

WHERE:
Mid Hill Golf Center
13000 Citrus Street
Corona, CA 92880

For more information, please visit: www.vantagepointchurch.org

Children ages 5-12 are eligible to submit an original drawing or painting for a chance to win their mom a wonderful Mother's Day gift. Contestants must mail in an 8.5"x11" drawing or painting of the child and their mother. On the back of the entry, include the child's name, age, city of residence and phone number. Entries will be judged based Mother's Day Art Contest on creativity, so go nuts! Use crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, stickers, glitter - anything! A total of three winners will be picked - one for San Gabriel Valley readers, one for Eastvale/Corona/Norco/Chino readers and one for Diamond Bar/Walnut/Chino Hills readers. Entries must be received by Monday, April 26. The winners will be announced and featured in the May issues of our monthlies and the May 1 and 8 issues of the Weekly. Winners will receive a Mother's Day gift basket from Gift Baskets by Rita for their mom and a special prize just for them! Submit entries to P.O. Box 1793, Chino, CA 91708. For more information call (909) 464-1200. www.ANAPR.com